[Straits Times] MYANMAR'S military ruler said on Friday that long-awaited elections planned for sometime this year will take place 'soon' but shed no light on exactly when.If it's gonna be "soon" maybe I should hold my breath...
Myanmar's military government announced in early 2008 that the country's first elections in two decades would take place in 2010. But the junta still needs to pass necessary election laws to pave the way for the vote and then set a date.
Or maybe I won't hold my breath...
The opposition party of detained pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi overwhelmingly won the last elections in 1990, but the results were never honoured by the military, which has ruled the country since 1962. 'A free and fair election will take place soon,' Senior General Than Shwe said in his annual message marking Union Day, a national holiday, on Friday.
"If we don't like the results we'll ignore them."
He went on to explain what an election is. 'That means national people will have the rights to elect representatives, and stand for election,' the 77-year-old Than Shwe said in remarks published in state-controlled media. 'So, members of parliament, who the voters think will be capable of generating a prosperous future for the nation, will be elected by ballot.'
"If they elect us they'll be very happy, I'm sure. If they don't, they'll still get us, so likely they'll still be happy."
Ms Suu Kyi's party, the National League for Democracy, has not yet decided whether to take part in the elections.
If you don't run you're sure not to get elected.
The party says the new constitution of 2008 is unfair and will perpetuate military rule - a claim backed by international rights groups. The constitution guarantees that 25 per cent of parliamentary seats will go to the military. It also has a clause that would effectively bar Ms Suu Kyi from holding office.